© Michael Kuhlmann

Research Topics

Our research aims to understand how neutrophils, key effector cells of the innate immune system, are recruited from the bloodstream to sites of tissue damage and inflammation. As rapid responders, neutrophils must exit the vasculature through a tightly regulated process known as extravasation, which requires coordinated interactions with the endothelial barrier, basement membrane, and perivascular cells. Our lab investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern neutrophil–endothelial communication during this multistep transmigration cascade. We focus on how neutrophils sense inflammatory and local vascular cues and integrate these signals to navigate the vessel wall. By dissecting routes of transmigration using advanced imaging and mechanistic approaches, we aim to define the principles that control neutrophil behaviour at inflamed vessels and to provide insight into vascular inflammation and immune cell trafficking in health and disease.

Selected Publications

  • Stegmeyer RI, Holstein K., Spring K, Timmerman I, Xia M, Stasch M, Möller T, Nottebaum AF, Vestweber D. (2024). Csk controls leukocyte extravasation via local regulation of Src family kinases and cortactin signaling. Frontiers in Immunology 15:1480152. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1480152.
  • Stegmeyer RI, Stasch M, Olesker D, Taylor JM, Mitchell TJ, Hosny NA, Kirschnick N, Spickermann G, Vestweber D, Volkery S. (2024). Intravital Microscopy With an Airy Beam Light Sheet Microscope Improves Temporal Resolution and Reduces Surgical Trauma. Microscopy and Microanalysis 30(5):925-943. DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae099.
  • Wilkens M, Holtermann L, Stahl AK, Stegmeyer RI, Nottebaum AF, Vestweber D. (2024). Ubiquitination of VE-cadherin regulates inflammation-induced vascular permeability in vivo. EMBO Reports 25(9):4013-4032. DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00221-7.
  • Xia M, Stegmeyer RI, Shirakura K, Butz S, Thiriot A, von Andrian UH, Vestweber D. (2024). Conditions that promote transcellular neutrophil migration in vivo. Scientific Report 14(1):14471. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65173-3.
  • Currie SM*, Stegmeyer RI*, Mildner K, Breitsprecher L, Zeuschner D, Psathaki OE, Schäfer K, Wilkens M, Volkery S, Nieswandt B, Vestweber D. (2022). Confocal Real-Time Analysis of Cutaneous Platelet Recruitment during Immune Complex‒Mediated Inflammation. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 142(10):2724-2732.e3. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.011.